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Gran Fondo New York Announces Partnership With Campagnolo

by Henry Peacock

The event is now officially called Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York, which signifies the strong partnership between the iconic bicycle components and wheel company and the iconic cycling event.

Gran Fondo New York is the world's most international cycling event and draws a field of 7000 cyclists from over 70 countries to take on a 110-mile route from New York City to Bear Mountain, NY to Weehawken, NJ on May 19, 2013. The event offers a big personal challenge to its participants and an exciting, fun-filled destination trip to New York City for the whole family. While there are thousands of locals from the tri-state area participating, there are also thousands traveling to NYC from Italy, Sweden, UK, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Chile, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, among many other countries. In two short years, Gran Fondo New York has become a world-renowned event worthy of its classification among the largest and greatest cycling events in the world with media coverage in 17 languages and 30 countries.

Campagnolo's founder, Tullio Campagnolo, is said to have invented the quick release while racing in the cold Alps during the Tour de France in the 1920s. Back then, riders had to flip their rear wheel to use the smaller gear on the opposite side of the wheel. Tullio's hands though were too cold to open the nuts so he had to ride the climb in the big gear. Coming home after the race, he invented the quick release to avoid such mishaps in the future. Since that pivotal day, Campagnolo has been at the forefront of cycling innovation.

Participants On The 2012 Edition

"Like no other company in cycling, Campagnolo combines rich heritage with modern technology such as the 11-speed electronic shifting EPS", says Gran Fondo New York co-founder Uli Fluhme. "I'm proud to have Campagnolo as a partner for Gran Fondo New York because I personally have been using nothing but Campagnolo components for over a decade. And like no other company, Campagnolo is committed to true, Italian Gran Fondo cycling where elite amateurs and recreational riders ride on the same course at the same time to do their best, whether that means competing for the win or finishing a challenging 110 mile course within the 10 hour cut-off time. At Gran Fondo New York we're glad to provide Campagnolo exposure to our participants from over 70 countries in general and US riders in particular."

Last year, Campagnolo became title sponsor of Gran Fondo New York's partner event, Granfondo Roma, held this year on October 13. Both events showcase the future of the sport of cycling where riders and their families can combine a trip to the world's greatest cities with riding and competing on their bikes. Both events raise money for Operation Smile, the international children¹s medical charity, proving that fundraising and goodwill have no borders.

Experience All The Best Bits Of The Tri-State Area

Participants and cycling fans alike will have the opportunity to test the latest Campagnolo components and talk with Campagnolo representatives at the pre-race expo of Gran Fondo New York, the NYC Bike Expo. Located at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue in midtown Manhattan, the expo is among the largest consumer road cycling expos in the world with 20,000 visitors over two days, May 17 and 18, 2013. For more information about the expo and to register for free as a visitor, go to www.nycbikeexpo.com.

For more information and entry: www.granfondony.com